Lynn Ahrens News

Today, a newly formed Board of Directors joined with Producing Artistic Director Janet Miller to announce the launch of a non-profit theater venture-the Good People Theater Company (GPTC)-and its opening show, LA's first fully staged production of A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE.

The Centre Theater presents, Ragtime, the musical. running June 7 to June 23. The play is performed Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm in The Centre's fourth floor space.. Tickets are available by calling 610-279-1013.

Sell A Door Theatre Company has just announced that SEUSSICAL (young audiences version) will once again perform for a limited season at the Arts Theatre from the 30th November 2013 - 5th January 2014. This version, specifically adapted for young audiences is presented in family-friendly matinees with a special early evening performance on Mondays.

Raleigh Little Theatre presents the captivating musical, Once On This Island, from June 7-23 in the Cantey V. Sutton Theatre. This is RLT's second production of the play and first since the 1993-94 season. Once On This Island was nominated for eight Tony's during its original Broadway run.

Tim Federle, Broadway performer and author of Simon & Schuster's, Better Nate Than Ever, (a New York Times Editor's Choice), will serve as Master of Ceremonies as hundreds of students from middle and intermediate New York City Public Schools make their Broadway debut on stage at the Broadhurst Theatre (235 W. 44 St.) today, June 3rd at 10:30 a.m. (Press set up at 9:30 a.m.; select pre-show photo ops at 10 a.m.).

The Country Playhouse will pre­sent Seussical: The Musical by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty on its Cerwinske main stage for three weekends only, June 14 - 29. The eleven performances are on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m., plus one Saturday matinee on Saturday, June 29 at 2:00 p.m.

Tim Federle, Broadway performer and author of Simon & Schuster's, Better Nate Than Ever, (a New York Times Editor's Choice), will serve as Master of Ceremonies as hundreds of students from middle and intermediate New York City Public Schools make their Broadway debut on stage at the Broadhurst Theatre (235 W. 44 St.) on Monday, June 3rd at 10:30 a.m. (Press set up at 9:30 a.m.; select pre-show photo ops at 10 a.m.).

The Planet Connections Theatre Festivity presents Walden, a story-theatre style musical adaptation of Thoreau's best seller, featuring his work on the underground railroad and his star-crossed romance. Six performances for Walden will be held at the Robert Moss Theatre, 440 Lafayette Street, NYC from today, May 29-June 15 as part of The Planet Connections Theatre Festivity. The Festivity will take place May 29th through June 23rd at Gene Frankel and Robert Moss Theatres in New York City.

The world premiere of Rocky took place November 18 in Hamburg under the direction of PETER AND THE STARCATCHER Tony nominee Alex Timbers. It will transfer to Broadway in Feburary 2014. Check out the pre-Broadway commercial below!

4TH WALL THEATRE closes its 16th season with the comedy Lucky Stiff, the first musical by one of Broadway's hottest writing teams, Lynn Ahrens (book and lyrics) and Stephen Flaherty (music). This musical farce is based on the book The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo by Michael Butterworth. First produced at Playwrights Horizons off-Broadway (Richard Rodgers Award) the show later went on to win Washington's Helen Hayes Award for Best Musical.

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Andrew Levine, Executive Director), present a one-night only benefit concert celebrating up and coming musical theatre writers, with the NEO 9 on Monday, May 20, 2013 at The York Theatre. Check out a look back at the night, featuring performances by LaChanze, Lisa Brescia, Titus Burgess, and more!

Today we are talking to a five-time Tony Award-winning director/choreographer celebrated for her stupendous work on CRAZY FOR YOU, THE PRODUCERS, CONTACT, THE FROGS, THOU SHALT NOT, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS and many more - the master musicals director Susan Stroman. In discussing a vast array of topics, Stroman and I touch upon many of her past projects as well as look ahead to her current and future endeavors - that is: the forthcoming Broadway bow of the new musical BIG FISH, starring Norbert Leo Butz, as well as the world premiere of Ahrens & Flaherty's LITTLE DANCER next year. Most importantly, Stroman shines a light on her enduring artistic partnership with Mel Brooks in bringing to life the screen-to-stage musical adaptations of both THE PRODUCERS and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, with BLAZING SADDLES on the way - their rich collaboration also being highlighted in this week's AMERICAN MASTERS tribute to Mel Brooks on PBS. Additionally, Stroman reflects on some of her lesser-known entities and casts a light on some of her foremost influences as well as candidly discusses her specialty work for a bevy of major stars - such as at SONDHEIM: A CELEBRATION AT CARNEGIE HALL in 1992 - and the finer points of working with Stephen Sondheim and Nathan Lane on Sondheim's most recent original Broadway musical, THE FROGS. Plus, Stroman shares first details of her upcoming collaboration with comedy master Woody Allen on the musical stage adaptation of Allen's Academy Award-winning BULLETS OVER BROADWAY and also offers the 411 on the upcoming Los Angeles and West End productions of Kander & Ebb's THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS - including the real-life role the musical has played in the pardoning of the originally accused nine just last month. Stroman also comments on her work with Hal Prince on the career revue PRINCE OF BROADWAY, opening in Japan in 2015, and also touches upon her ongoing desire to pursue a film adaptation of her multi-Tony Award-winning and genre-redefining 2000 Best Musical, CONTACT. All of that and much, much awaits in this wide-ranging conversation!

Janet Miller is about to launch her new theatre company, aptly named the Good People Theater Company, with A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE at this year's Hollywood Fringe Festival.

Two years ago, in my generally favorable review of Pamela Lewis' quirky, if flawed, cabaret show Dog Walking Diva, I went a little bit out on the limb with . . . “She has the potential to be a major cabaret star.” Well, as Lewis (who given her bubbly and bold personality performs under the totally appropriate moniker of “Champagne Pam”) remarked often in her newest show, during which she assessed whether she had yet achieved a list of life goals, that particular observation would have to get a “check.” Because with Daddy's Little Girl, Champagne Pam--who proudly admitted to having reached the Big 4-0--is all grown up as a cabaret performer and should be a member of that rarified group who even a reviewer on a press comp should pay to see and hear.

KAT is nothing if not ambitious.

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Andrew Levine, Executive Director), present a one-night only benefit concert celebrating up and coming musical theatre writers, with the NEO 9 on Monday, May 20, 2013 at The York Theatre (Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). Festivities begin at 7:30 p.m. followed by a champagne and dessert reception to toast the evening.

Music Theatre of Connecticut School of the Performing Arts presents 'Lucky Stiff' on Friday and Saturday, May 17 and 18. Performances areon Friday at 7:30pm and Saturday at 2pm at Theatre Artists Workshop, 5 Gregory Blvd. in Norwalk, CT.

Today, a newly formed Board of Directors joined with Producing Artistic Director Janet Miller to announce the launch of a non-profit theater venture-the Good People Theater Company (GPTC)-and its opening show, LA's first fully staged production of A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE.

Stage Entertainment USA and Sylvester Stallone have announced that the new musical, ROCKY, will come to Broadway in 2014, beginning preview performances in February and officially opening in March at Broadway's historic Winter Garden Theatre (1634 Broadway, New York, NY). ROCKYreceived its world premiere in fall 2012 in Hamburg, Germany, where it earned unanimous critical raves and continues to play to packed houses.